The Rams seek to put the finishing touches on the team ahead of the window closing next Friday.
Paul Warne has scheduled a transfer meeting with key Derby County personnel and owner David Clowes as they prepare for the last week of the window.
Derby are looking to add a striker, a midfielder, and a defender to their squad before the window closes next Friday. They are Warne’s three objectives now that he has signed Jacob Widell Zetterstrom from Djurgarden, with the Sweden international set to make his Watford debut on Saturday (3pm).
Another recruitment meeting will be conducted this afternoon, with talent identification lead Mark Thomas, CEO Stephen Pearce, and Clowes in attendance. Warne believes that huge monetary demands from agents are exacerbating the situation in a market where demand outstrips supply, particularly among strikers.
When asked how his search for a striker is progressing, Warne replied, “Difficult is probably the nicest way to put it. The transfer window is divided into phases, and we are currently in the extortionately absurd period, with everything returning to normal by next week.
“So this is awkward. There are players we want to sign, and every football club has players it cannot afford, and that is the truth. We are doing all we can. We still need to bring in another midfielder, which I believe is a long way off.
“We still need to add another defender and something more to the top line. We compete with other clubs in this league for a small number of players.
“All I know is that everyone is doing their best to support us. This afternoon, I’ll be meeting with Mark Thomas, Stephen Pearce, and David Clowes; it’ll be all hands on deck. We are doing everything we can. I don’t believe any manager enters or exits a window with complete confidence, but we are doing everything we can.
“I know we’ll sign players before the window closes, but it’s always the same. What would you do if I told you right now that you could get a seven out of ten striker today or a nine out of ten striker, which is a gamble and won’t arrive until next week? Once they get in, they’re in. When I say it’s crazy season, I mean it. Fees are piling up, and agents are demanding exorbitant fees since they have all the cards. It’s muddy water out there right now, but we’re doing our best to navigate through it.”